While this technique is not new, the transradial approach is used in only 7 percent of coronary angiograms in the United States compared with approximately 50 percent in Asia, and 40 percent in Europe.

Transradial cardiac catheterizations benefit all patients, but especially those with lower back pain, arthritis, obesity, peripheral vascular disease or those with a higher risk of bleeding Traditionally, cardiac catheterization uses the femoral artery in the right groin as the point of insertion for the catheter. This entry point is sometimes difficult to access and may be hard to compress after the procedure to stop the bleeding.

The recovery time for the femoral approach is 20 minutes of pressure followed by 6–8 hours of bed rest to allow the hole in the groin to heal.

The transradial catheterization is performed using an artery in the wrist. The recovery time for the transradial approach is less than two hours bed rest and discharge within four hours, depending on the procedure.

Parrish Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Care program earned state approval to perform elective angioplasty two years ago and since then has been able to bring advanced heart-saving treatments to the North Brevard community. Time is heart muscle.

“PMC sought and attained approval to perform both emergent and elective angioplasty so North Brevard residents would not experience any delays in receiving heart-saving treatments,” said Dr. Ravi Rao, Harvard-trained board-certified interventional cardiologist, who helped to lead PMC’s effort to achieve state approval. “PMC’s heart emergency team’s time-to-treat is 60 minutes or less, which beats the national best practice goal of 90 minutes,” added Dr. Rao.

Parrish Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Care program has earned HealthGrades five star rating and Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for excellence in the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome (heart attack) and heart failure management. Additionally, PMC has earned Joint Commission Gold Seals for primary stroke treatment and diabetes management, and is a certified HeartCaring hospital by the National Spirit of Women Network. For more information about the cardiovascular care program at Parrish Medical Center visit parrishmed.com.

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